"David Y.H. Lui - A Celebration" This Sunday, Oct. 23 at The Playhouse

A galaxy of renowned dancers, singers and musicians will be appearing in a free public gala celebrating the life and career of a legendary Vancouver impresario.

David Y.H. Lui - A Celebration, takes place at 2 p.m. Sunday, October 23 at the Vancouver Playhouse.

Co-hosted by ballet icon Evelyn Hart and veteran arts writer Max Wyman, the afternoon will feature performances by stars of early Lui productions such as Godspell (Jeff Hyslop) and Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris (Leon Bibb, Ruth Nichol, Pat Rose and Jane Mortifee).

Dancers from Ballet B.C., the Goh Ballet and the Vancouver Tap Dance Society, and solo artist Wen Wei Wang, will offer short presentations, along with the Borealis String Quartet.

Speakers associated with various stages of Mr. Lui’s remarkable career will remember his enduring work as a presenter and an all-round cultural community spark-plug who helped transform arts and entertainment in Vancouver and across Canada.

Mr. Lui, responsible for bringing some of the world’s greatest productions and performers to Vancouver in the 70s and 80s, died in his sleep September 15 at his home in Vancouver’s Performing Arts Lodge (PAL).

In addition to his many theatrical achievements, Mr. Lui also co-founded the Vancouver Dragon Boat Festival, was the artistic producer of Vancouver's First Night celebrations to mark the turn of the millennium, and was a major force in the founding of Ballet BC and the Scotiabank Dance Centre.

The event is free, but RSVPs are requested at rsvpdyhl@gmail.com